Rosy cheeks in a baby: Causes and treatments – Medical News Today

Several conditions can cause red cheeks on a baby.

It is important to note that the conditions listed below may cause rosy cheeks in infants of any skin tone or color, but the appearance of rosy cheeks may be harder to detect in babies with darker skin.

Anyone unsure of whether their baby may have rosy cheeks due to a condition requiring medical care should consult a pediatrician.

Possible causes of rosy cheeks include:

A mild virus, known as parvovirus B19, causes an infection called Fifths disease.

Some people call the condition slapped cheek syndrome because it causes very red cheeks.

Some babies later develop a rash on the chest or neck. Other symptoms include cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose or fever, which often appear a few days after the rash.

Fifths disease usually goes away on its own, while it causes mild symptoms in children.

In some adults and very sick people, the condition may cause more severe symptoms, such as joint pain that lasts for weeks.

Learn more about Fifths disease here.

Teething sometimes causes a red rash on the cheeks and chin. This happens when a baby drools and the drool dries on the skin, causing redness, irritation, and chapping.

The rash is usually harmless, but severe rashes might crack open and bleed, increasing the risk of acquiring an infection.

Parents can reduce the risk of teething rash by removing drool from a babys cheeks and face, and applying a mild moisturizer.

Learn how to recognize a teething rash here.

Dry, irritated skin from dry air or intense cold can appear chapped and red. Chapped skin looks similar to a teething rash.

Areas of the skin that come into contact with cold air, such as the cheeks and lips, are more vulnerable to chapping. Babies with eczema or dry skin are also more prone.

Chapped skin can be itchy and painful, but it is not dangerous. Frequently applying moisturizer to the affected areas can help.

Eczema causes dry, scaly patches of skin, but it is not just dry skin. The condition is a complex disorder that causes the skin to become inflamed.

Inflammation of the skin sometimes occurs in response to certain triggers, such as irritating soaps or foods.

Eczema on the cheeks may look similar to red or scaly patches. Babies may also develop eczema elsewhere on the body.

Severe eczema can look very dry, and may even crack open and bleed. The condition also increases the risk of contracting skin infections.

Learn about the best eczema creams for baby here.

When bacteria or other dangerous pathogens get into the skin and multiply, it can trigger an infection. This usually occurs when a baby has a cut, such as from a scratch, injury, or dry skin that cracks.

Sometimes, a skin infection can appear with no clear explanation.

One type of skin infection, cellulitis, affects the deeper layers of skin. It can cause bright redness and swelling. Sometimes, red streaks appear as the rash spreads.

It is possible to contract an infection in both cheeks, but an infection is more likely if one cheek is red.

Unless the baby has eczema, severely dry skin, or a skin infection, red cheeks usually go away on their own, with or without treatment.

Dry skin and eczema may require ongoing management. While these conditions can make the skin feel dry or itchy, they are not dangerous.

These conditions may make the skin more vulnerable to infections, so it is vital to monitor for signs that may indicate a worsening rash or infection.

A skin infection can spread without treatment, but most infections clear within a few days with antibiotics.

See more here:
Rosy cheeks in a baby: Causes and treatments - Medical News Today